Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 826: Section 551: Vows (Part 1)

Chapter 826: Section 551: Vows (Part 1)

After Malin Gaiate took his son away, Manheim glanced at the headless corpse on the ground: "Was that really Spiritual Energy just now?"

As a Transcendent, Manheim wasn’t adept at Spiritual Energy, and to put it bluntly, there was a gap as wide as one rendered powerless between him, Spiritual Energy, and Spell Formation; this contrasted with his strength and physique, which had entered a transcendental realm from birth.

"It was Spiritual Energy." Old Hagelberry nodded emphatically: "There was a moment when I felt the world change color."

Old Hagelberry was susceptible to Spiritual Energy. Hearing him say this, Manheim’s expression solidified as he looked at his military Marshal: "Marshal Constantine, what about you?"

Marshal Constantine was also susceptible to Spiritual Energy, and Manheim thought that what Old Hagelberry said might be somewhat exaggerated.

"His Grace the Duke Hagelberry did not misspeak. I am even more sensitive than he is. The moment Lord Malin spoke those words, my entire field of vision turned red, as if some supreme existence was commanding me, and I was utterly unable to resist. If it weren’t for the fact that Lord Malin’s target wasn’t me, I would have already been dead." Constantine looked towards the corpse as he said this: "Karin has a Winter Wolf tattoo, which in itself is a magic-resistant tattoo, providing decent resistance against Spell Formations and Spiritual Energy. I don’t know the properties of the potion he drank, but look at his belt, that should be a sacred belt, imbued with the blood of a Saint from the Noble God Church, offering extremely high resistance against Spiritual Energy... I am certain that this is a conspiracy targeting Lord Malin. Had it been someone else, the outcome might have been different."

After hearing Constantine’s remarks, old Hagelberry smiled: "But in Malin’s eyes, it seemed as insignificant as a layer of paper."

"No, even less than paper," Constantine said.

While the representative of the Benevolent Church went over to inspect the body and confirmed Karin’s situation, then provided a response that entirely supported Constantine’s analysis: "The belt didn’t activate, the tattoo circuitry didn’t burn out..." After summarizing the situation, he looked up at His Majesty Manheim: "Your Majesty, I can assert that Lord Malin’s Spiritual Energy performed a fully penetrative attack. All the protective measures on Duke Karin’s body were ineffective."

Silence fell over the entire hall for a long while, until finally, His Majesty Manheim let out a sigh. He looked at Old Hagelberry: "I now finally understand why you chose to marry Lulu, the only one of your Hagelberry’s entire third generation born in the Purple Chamber, to Malin. Such intensity of Spiritual Energy, even the arrival of a Great Demon would pale in comparison."

"Your Majesty, the Hagelberry family never makes a losing deal; this you should know," Old Hagelberry revealed a satisfied smile.

.......

Malin enjoyed the meal at Chaofeng Tower, mainly because he got to eat pan-fried buns he hadn’t had in a long time, and they were quite authentic.

"Lord Malin, it’s our pleasure that you chose to dine in our humble establishment with His Highness the Prince."

The owner looked ecstatic, but considering someone had just died in his shop and yet he was still alive, Malin wouldn’t believe it if someone said the owner had no background.

But this was good, as long as it didn’t affect his business.

And when they were ready to leave after the meal, a messenger from the Goddess of Harvest Church arrived with a message for Malin—The Winter Wolf Lady had decreed an acknowledgement of defeat in the champion’s duel, and the Primate of the Winter Wolf Church, without hesitation, acknowledged Malin’s victory swearing that the Winter Wolf Church would absolutely not join any conspiracy against Malin or his family.

"I got it," Malin nodded—this almost confirmed that Karin Doma’s actions this time had external involvement.

As soon as the Church messenger left, the wavy-haired messenger approached and greeted Malin with even more respect than before, then took the Prince away.

Feeling somewhat unoccupied, Malin stood in the street, glanced at his empty cigarette case in his pocket, realizing it had been emptied earlier while distributing cigarettes to the soldiers.

Standing in this world without TV, computers, or even mobile phones, Malin gazed into the distance, the youth yearning for a brief respite ultimately opened the transport portal to the frontlines.

At least, there are people waiting for me.

Malin sighed to himself, then stepped into the transport portal.

.......

Rhodes sat by the trench, the young man glanced at his pocket watch—it had been quite some time since Lord Malin left, and he was somewhat worried.

His cousin sat beside him, the young man ceaselessly wiped his rifle with a cloth.

"Is there anything we can do, sir?" Not far from them, soldiers were gathered around their company commander, with a young boy asking his commander in a sobbing tone.

The latter shook his head in silence and then lowered his head, drawing on his long-stemmed pipe.

Rhodes looked at his rifle, feeling for the first time an uncontrollable loathing for the Nobles—why should they demand Lord Malin to return, just because he might have killed those damned scoundrels?

Those damned scoundrels deserved to die! They killed so many people and deserved death! Their parents relished the money their sons amassed through wrongdoing, so they deserved death, their offspring enjoyed the money their fathers earned through heinous acts, so they deserved death.

"I’ve never understood the ideology of the North as much as today," Rhodes muttered, looking towards the Central District of the frontlines, where more soldiers, more company commanders, and even more colonels and generals awaited news from Lord Malin.